External links
- Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal at the Wayback Machine (archived July 12, 2016)
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1 July 2012 |
| Dissolved | 21 April 2016 |
| Jurisdiction | Commonwealth of Australia |
| Agency executive |
|
The Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) was an independent body established by the Gillard government in 2012 to oversee the road transport industry in Australia. [1] The jurisdiction of the RSRT is set out in the Road Safety Remuneration Act 2012. [2]
The Tribunal was established to address the problem of a uniform pay rate for truck drivers, as the National Transport Commission had concluded in a 2008 report that there was a link between driver pay rates and safety outcomes. [3] The Transport Workers Union of Australia issued a "Safe Rates" campaign in response to this report. [4] The possibility of legislation or a regulatory body to address minimum pay rates for truck drivers was first raised in Parliament in 2010. [5]
When the Tribunal was established in 2012, its aim was "promoting safety and fairness in the industry." [6] The Tribunal was tasked with inquiring into the road transport industry, allowing it to: [7]
Between 2012 and 2016 the Tribunal made two orders: Road Transport and Distribution and Long Distance Operations Road Safety Renumeration Order (2014) and Contractor Driver Minimum Payments Road Safety Renumeration Order 2016. [3]
In the lead-up to the 2013 Australian federal election, Tony Abbott promised to issue a review of the industrial tribunal. [8] The Government engaged a consulting firm to conduct the review, and in 2014 (before the issuing of the Tribunal's first order order), they concluded that the tribunal had achieved little, but there was a reduction in truck accidents and fatalities. [3]
The Road Safety Renumeration Order in 2014 set out that employers or hirers must provide drivers with a written contract before they start, pay drivers within 30 days of an invoice, prepare safe driving plans, provide workplace health and safety measures, and have a drug and alcohol policy. [9]
Another review of the Tribunal was conducted by a consulting firm in 2015 with a conclusion that if it was not abolished, it should be reformed to focus on assessing evidence that payment rates are linked to driver safety. [10]
The Contractor Driver Minimum Payments Order in 2016 set out an audit process for supply chain contracts, national minimum payments, and unpaid leave entitlements for contract drivers. [11] This order was controversial and it was not implemented before the Tribunal's abolition. [12] It was claimed that the Order disadvantaged owner-drivers. [13]
In 2016 the continuing dispute between owner-truck drivers in the road transport industry accelerated calls for the tribunal to be abolished. [14] [15]
In the lead up to the 2016 election, the Coalition promised to abolish the Tribunal, but was able to pass the legislation before the election with support from crossbenchers. [16] The Tribunal was abolished on 21 April 2016. [17] [18]
Since its abolition, there have been calls for the Tribunal's reinstatement and the implementation of a consistent rate of pay for truck drivers. [19] The Transport Workers Union has continued its Safe Rates campaign. [20]
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